A delegation of senior officials from the U.S. Commerce Department and representatives
of the U.S. telecommunications industry will hold discussions with key decision-makers
from China’s telecommunications sector in Chicago June 17-19 at the first
China-U.S. Telecommunications Summit to be held on U.S. soil.

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA),
a non-profit industry group representing 700 U.S. manufacturers and suppliers
of communications and information technology products, will co-sponsor the
event, as it has co-sponsored with the Commerce Department previous summits
held in China in 1997 and 1999. Industry participation is open to telecommunications
and information technology companies operating in the United States.

“More telecommunications sales to China will lead to more U.S. jobs for U.S.
manufacturers,” said Secretary Evans. “As one of the largest and fastest
growing telecommunications markets in the world, China’s market offers great
potential for U.S. equipment and service providers of all sizes.”

The unique format of the summit will bring together Ministerial-level officials
from the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry with industry executives
to discuss critical policy issues. At the same time, the summit will provide
a venue for U.S. companies to meet Chinese policy officials, purchasing and
procurement authorities at the national and provincial level, and Chinese
industry executives in private as well as public settings.